Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov. 16 / corr Trend H.Hasanov /
All five Caspian littoral states - Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran - want to finalize a draft of the convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
The document will serve as a reliable tool in Caspian relations, Turkmen media reported after the twenty-sixth meeting of a working group developing the convention.
The sides voiced their common aspiration to achieve a mutually acceptable solution on the issue. Their proximity on positions and definite articles of the draft convention were discussed, the Turkmen dovlet khaberlei news service reported.
The convention is prepared for the upcoming summit of the Caspian littoral countries's summit of the heads of state in Baku.
An article published in the Neytralniy Turkmenistan newspaper recently said participants in the talks should look for optimal ways to solve the Caspian problem to preserve the natural water basin and ensure the rational use of its rich natural resources.
A range of issues requiring urgent solution were discussed in Ashgabat such as transport communications, sea security, ecology and biological resources.
The sides underscored the importance of future bilateral and multilateral consultations.
The next working group meeting will be held in Tehran in the first quarter of 2010.